Jeron Grayson lost his life to gun violence three years ago Thursday, and on the anniversary of his death, residents in Grayson's Hill District community honored his life with the groundbreaking for the Jeron X. Grayson Community Center.

Jeron Grayson was 18 years old when he was killed Oct. 17, 2010, while attending a party near California University of Pennsylvania. His father said he was home from college when he became an innocent victim of gun violence.

"Someone took a gun and shot through the door and he lost his life," Grayson said.

The reverend, who has performed funerals for other teens killed by guns, said when his son was murdered, he knew he had to do more.

He said his son wanted to help people, and this center will do that with classrooms, a kitchen, a basketball court and a list of activities for kids in the community.

The Jeron Grayson Community Center on Enoch Street is scheduled to open in about 6 1/2 months.

Community center breaks ground in honor of slain Pittsburgh teen

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John McKee

Grayson Community Center groundbreaking

The Jeron X. Grayson Community Center in the Hill District will be named for an 18-year-old local man who was shot to death while he was home from Hampton University and visiting friends at a party near Cal U.

3 HE WAS 18 YEARS OLD-- AN HONORS STUDENT. A STAND-OUT ATHLETE-- AND THREE YEARS AGO TODAY-- A MURDER VICTIM. Jeron Grayson's family is on a mission tonight. Their son's legacy will live on...in a very positive way. Here's Channel 4 Action News reporter Marcie Cipriani. 3 3 BENEATH THE 3 BROKEN WALLS, THE CRACKED FLOORS AND THE CHIPPED EXTERIOR IS A VISION, WITH A GOAL AND A MISSION TO HONOR 3 ..A FAMILIES MISSION TO BUILD A PLACE THEIR LOVED ONE- JERON GRAYSON- WOULD BE PROUD OF- AND IT BEGINS ON THE DAY HE DIED. 3 JERON WAS JUST 18, HOME FROM COLLEGE AND AT A PARTY WITH FRIENDS- WHEN HE WAS KILLED. 3 THE LOSS WAS OVERWHELMING FOR HIS FAMILY. JERON'S FATHER, A REV- HAD HELD FUNERALS FOR YOUNG VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE BEFORE- THIS TIME IT WAS HIS SON- AND SUDDENLY HIS CHANCE TO MAKE AN IMPACT. THIS IS THAT IMPACT.A CENTER IN HIS SONS NAME 3 CHOICES JERON'S SISTER SAYS HE MADE HIMSELF - DECIDING HIS FUTURE, THE DAY BEFORE HE DIED. 3 3 3 JUST DOWN THE